Deputies give nod to Long Thanh int'l airport

Update:
June, 25/2015 - 13:58

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Yesterday, the National Assembly (NA) holds a plennary session to ratify several laws. In the picture deputies are about to vote on the Law on Election of Deputies to the NA and People's Committees. — VNA/VNS Photo Pham Kien

HA NOI (VNS) — The VND336.7 trillion (US$16 billion) construction project of an international airport in the southern Dong Nai Province was approved by a majority of the National Assembly deputies this morning.

With 428 deputies voting ‘yes', accounting for 86.64 per cent of the total deputies at the ongoing 13th National Assembly's (NA) ninth session, the Long Thanh International Airport will be an important one in the country. It is expected to reduce the load on the neighbouring Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCM City, and will become an international entrepot of the region.

The airport will be able to handle 100 million passengers and five million tonnes of freight a year. The investment will come from various sources, such as the state budget, official development assistance and corporate capital.

The project has been divided into three phases. The first phase, expected to be completed in 2025 and handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of freight a year, includes the construction of a runway, a terminal and supporting infrastructure.

The Long Thanh International Airport project attracted public attention after it was discussed for the first time at the previous NA session. Right after the session, expert delegations worked hard on the project.

Following today's approval, the NA issued a resolution asking for detailed plans of the construction, including site clearance, compensation, employment and re-settlement and support of those who would be displaced from their land.

The NA also asked for the implementation of the project with due consideration being given to its progress, environmental impact and financial balance.

The NA also approved the Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment with 452 votes, and the revised Law on State Budget with 442 votes.

A majority of National Assembly deputies say "yes" to the construction of the Long Thanh International Airport in a vote this morning. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

Gender reassignment

Under the observation of Deputy Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong and Deputy Chairman Uong Chung Luu, NA deputies approved the Law on Labour Safety and Sanitation, and the Law on the Election of Deputies to the National Assembly.

In the afternoon session, the NA discussed the revised Civil Code. A major topic of discussion was citizens who underwent gender reassignment surgeries.

Deputy Tran Ngoc Vinh from Hai Phong pointed out that current laws lacked consistency in dealing with this social group. The law does not recognise its legitimacy, but at the same time demanded Government agencies to process requests filed by those who underwent the transformation to modify their identities and personal records.

Vinh noted that by not recognising this social group the law was tying its own hands, as Government agencies would face difficulties processing administrative and legal procedures in cases of citizens who underwent gender reassignment surgeries.

He added that the law must take a consistent and firm stance on this issue as this social group, which often included those in dire need of support, is currently excluded from numerous social programmes because of a lack of legal guidelines.

The Government maintained its view on the draft regulation to make the maximum length of citizens' names 25 letters, without any numbers or symbols. The Government stressed that the regulation is necessary to simplify administrative tasks. Names that were too long and complicated slowed down or hindered the process of issuing birth certificates, driver licences, social insurance numbers.

The majority of NA deputies agreed with this point of view, but they also demanded the Government provide a more detailed explanation on why the limit was set at 25 and how citizens' names would impede national security and defence, as well as social order. — VNS